The law firm of Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig LLP is pleased to announce that co-managing shareholder Mark W. Tanner has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.
The special induction ceremony at which Tanner became a Fellow took place at the recent 2020 Spring Meeting of the College in Tucson, Arizona.
Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years of trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.
Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.
For 30 years, Mr. Tanner has devoted his practice to helping victims of automotive/motor vehicle accidents, construction and workplace accidents, insurance company bad faith, medical malpractice, personal injuries, dangerous premises and defective products. Mr. Tanner has been recognized every year since 2007 as one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania. He is the former president of The Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association (2007-2008) and the 2005 recipient of its President’s Award. In addition, Mr. Tanner has been named by The National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Attorney in the Civil Plaintiff category and in 2016 was appointed as a hearing committee member serving the disciplinary board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
A passionate pro bono activist, Mr. Tanner represents underprivileged and neglected children as a child advocate for the nonprofit Support Center for Child Advocates, where he has also served on the board of directors. As a frequent lecturer, Mr. Tanner has participated in more than 50 continuing legal education programs, and has taught trial advocacy, among other subjects, to law students and graduate LL.M. students at local area law schools. He has lectured throughout the United States and, by invitation, to barristers in London.
Mr. Tanner is an alumnus of Temple University School of Law.
“Mark is that exceptional attorney who combines great trial skills with the highest degree of professionalism and a passionate dedication to pro bono service. He is respected by all who know him, including his courtroom adversaries. Everyone at our firm joins me in congratulating Mark on his well-deserved recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers,” said Alan M. Feldman, co-managing shareholder at Feldman Shepherd.